 Photographer Deen van Meer Disney M.jpg)
Counting down from ten to one, here are the most read articles on the Group Leisure website for 2016.
10. Flying Scotsman: a GTO’s review
For this feature, group travel organiser Mike Battman explained what it was like to be one of the first people to experience a ride on the newly renovated Flying Scotsman. The article included a bit of background about the locomotive and a review of a group journey on the train that started at Bury Bolton Street Station.
9. Afternoon Tea Week; best venues for group bookings
Groups love a good brew and the fact that the ninth most popular article of the year was all about tea is a testament to that. This article outlined the best places in the UK for groups to plan a stop for afternoon tea – from King Street West in Manchester to The Glasshouse in Scotland.
Pictured: Afternoon tea
8. 8 of the most beautiful places in… Cornwall
This article was one of a series of photo-led features on pretty places in the UK. It featured images of St. Michael’s Mount, The Lost Gardens of Heligan and Tintagel Castle.
7. Best restaurants for groups in London: Bubba Gump review
Published in January, this article was written by Group Leisure editor Sarah Holt, following a visit to Bubba Gump in London. The piece explained how the restaurant, near Piccadilly Circus, catered for groups and featured some quotes from restaurant manager Rob Bryan about his own favourite dishes from the menu. Plus it mentioned some pretty impressive coconut prawns.
6. 8 of the most beautiful places in… Somerset
The sixth most popular article of 2016 was a photo round-up of places in Somerset that were easy on the eye. The list included the Mendip Hills, the Seafarers Sculpture in Portishead, and Wells Cathedral.
5. 7 of the top coach drop off points in London
This feature pin pointed seven of the best coach drop off points in the capital and included a map. Spots outlined included the Barbican Centre, Royal Museums Greenwich and ArcelorMittal Orbit. It also explained the various group rates available at certain attractions.
4. 8 of the most beautiful places in… Norfolk
This is the third eye-candy post that features in the list of the ten most-read articles on the Group Leisure website in 2016. This one was published in April and listed the likes of The Broads National Park, Norwich Cathedral Quarter and Wymondham Abbey.
Pictured: Cromer pier
3. GTO of the Year 2016: the final four
The third most popular feature of 2016 was all about the finalists for the annual Group Travel Organiser of the Year Award. The article introduced Group Leisure readers to Christine Taylor, Vincent Doherty, Shirley Ward and Mary Gotts – who was in the running for the second year in a row.
2. ABTA investigates: what could Brexit mean for UK travel?
Published in March, this article summed up the key points of a report launched by ABTA that focussed on the EU Referendum and what it could mean for the travel and tourism industry. It looked at the implications on the strength of the pound and air travel, among other areas.
1. London theatre review: Aladdin
The most-read story on the Group Leisure website in 2016 was writer Rachel Bailey’s review of the big new West End musical Aladdin. In her review, Rachel described the show as ‘a tribute’ to the original film, and said ‘I don’t recall the last time I watched such a spectacle of flawless and energetic dancing’.
